National Weather ServiceIowaFlood WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Flood Watches in Iowa
The National Weather Service issued 95 flood watches for Iowa in 2025 and 43 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 5th most of any state. 2026 through September: 121, 216% above the average of 38 for those months in 2008-2025. Louisa was covered most often (159 times since 2008).
How many flood watches does Iowa get?
Every flood watch that covered part of Iowa. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 129 |
| 2025 | 95 |
| 2024 | 129 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2020 | 34 |
| 2019 | 139 |
| 2018 | 157 |
| 2017 | 74 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2008 | 15 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Iowa get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Iowa?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisa | 159 | 67 | October 3, 2026 |
| Des Moines | 113 | 48 | September 30, 2026 |
| Scott | 103 | 42 | September 30, 2026 |
| Muscatine | 94 | 47 | October 2, 2026 |
| Clinton | 90 | 36 | September 30, 2026 |
| Black Hawk | 88 | 47 | September 30, 2026 |
| Lee | 81 | 38 | October 2, 2026 |
| Johnson | 77 | 36 | October 2, 2026 |
| Polk | 74 | 28 | September 30, 2026 |
| Linn | 64 | 34 | September 30, 2026 |
| Cedar | 64 | 32 | September 30, 2026 |
| Iowa | 55 | 28 | September 30, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest flood watches for Iowa in AreaZine's record
NWS Des MoinesWatchOctober 1, 2026
Flood Watch: Humboldt, Wright, Franklin and 40 more, IA
In force until 1:00 a.m. CDT, October 2, 2026
NWS Omaha/ValleyWatchOctober 1, 2026
Flood Watch: Harrison, Shelby, Pottawattamie and 21 more, IA and NE
In force until 7:00 p.m. CDT, October 1, 2026
NWS Quad Cities IAWatchOctober 1, 2026
Flood Watch: Buchanan, Delaware, Dubuque and 22 more, IA and IL
In force until 1:00 a.m. CDT, October 2, 2026
NWS Quad Cities IAWatchSeptember 30, 2026
Flood Watch: Louisa, IA
In force until 2:00 p.m. CDT, October 3, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a flood watch?
A flood watch means conditions may lead to flooding in the coming day or days; it is not yet happening. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Iowa.